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Author :
Aakash |
The CMAT Exam serves as a national-level entrance test for a myriad of institutions. It was created and is conducted by the National Testing Agency for the National-level entrance exams for CMAT for PGDM and MBA programs. Institutions like JBIMS Mumbai, GIM Goa, and K J Somaiya are some of the over 1,300 institutions approved by AICTE. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness alongside Innovation & Entrepreneurship, are the skills evaluated during the exam. It is of utmost importance to understand the CMAT Syllabus and devise a preparation strategy for the examination. With the expected date of 2026 CMAT being January 24th, 2026, preparation should begin as soon as possible. To help prep for the exam, we provide a CMAT tutorial with exam actionable strategies and a CMAT Syllabus breakdown.
As stated earlier, the exam is a CMAT 3-hour-long computer test consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions separated into 5 distinct sections of 20 questions each. Each section is 80 marks making a total of 400 marks. Each question answered correctly grants 4 points; a point is deducted for each incorrect answer, and unanswered questions remain neutral. The exam is conducted in over 124 Cities and is of medium difficulty. It is expected that the CMAT 2023 and 2024 remain the same and the 2026 CMAT scores will be valid till March 2027. Each student hoping to attend the top B-Schools in the country will at some point attempt it. The CMAT Syllabus and actionable strategies for the exam will be presented below.
The CMAT Syllabus encompasses five sections aimed at evaluating the concepts and skills required for management that candidates possess. Below is the summary of all the sections as given in the syllabus for the exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT:
Topics: Arithmetic: percentages, ratios, and time and work. Algebra: equations and inequalities. Geometry: mensuration and triangles. Number systems, probability and data interpretation from tables, pie charts and bar graphs.
Weightage: 20 questions for 80 marks.
Preparation Focus: Memorization of the key formulas, as well as practicing calculation of speed and accuracy during the set practices of data interpretation will aid in mastery.
Topics: Puzzles include: seating and circular arrangement blood relations. Coding and decoding. Syllogisms. Statement-assumption. Cause-effect.
Weightage: 20 questions for 80 marks.
Preparation Focus: A wide assortment of puzzles should be practiced in order to work on the given logic and analytical skills as well as recognition of the patterns.
Topics: Comprehension for reading (business, science, social issues), grammar, sentence correction, synonyms/antonyms, and paragraph jumbles.
Weightage: 20 questions for 80 marks.
Preparation Focus: Focus on reading and building vocabulary with newspapers and novels to increase accuracy in set practices.
Topics: Current Affairs: 2025-2026 in review (business, politics, awards). Static GK (Indian economy, history, and geography).
Weightage: 20 questions for 80 marks.
Preparation Focus: Focus on adhering to recent news as well as regularly revising static GK.
Business Models, Ecosystem of Startups, schemes of the government (Startup India, etc.), entrepreneurs of key, and the concept of innovation.
Weightage Allocation: 20 questions, 80 marks.
Noteworthy Business News and NITI Aayog Reports: Focused preparation is required for these as they pertain to CMAT’s Syllabus.
To plan effectively, students must track important dates for CMAT 2026. Below is the tentative schedule:
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Event |
Date |
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CMAT Notification Release |
November 7, 2025 |
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CMAT Exam Registration |
November 7–December 25, 2025 |
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Fee Payment Deadline |
December 25, 2025 |
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Application Correction Window |
December 26–27, 2025 |
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Admit Card Release |
January 17, 2026 |
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CMAT Exam Date |
January 24, 2026 |
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Result Announcement |
February 10, 2026 |
Register early at cmat.ntaonline.in to secure your preferred test center. Fees are INR 2,500 (General Male) and INR 1,250 (General Female/SC/ST/PwD).
To ace the CMAT Exam, follow these CMAT tips for a structured preparation plan over 6–9 months:
Understand the CMAT Syllabus: Review the CMAT Syllabus thoroughly to prioritize high-weightage topics like arithmetic, puzzles, and current affairs. Download the official syllabus PDF from exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT for clarity.
Create a Study Plan: Allocate 3–4 hours daily, covering two sections to avoid monotony. Start with weaker areas, using a CMAT tutorial like IMS’s online courses or SuperGrads’ resources. Dedicate 6 months to comprehensive preparation, or 2–3 months if you’ve prepared for CAT/XAT.
Quantitative Techniques: R.S. Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude.
Logical Reasoning: Arun Sharma’s Logical Reasoning.
Language Comprehension: Wren and Martin’s High School English Grammar.
General Awareness: GK from Lucent, The Hindu, and Manorama Yearbook.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: NITI Aayog reports and news about startups.
Practice Mock Tests: Complete 30 to 40 mock tests with SuperGrads, CrackU, or IMS to replicate the exam conditions. Evaluation to improve speed and accuracy (108 seconds per question) is critical, especially with the -1 mark penalty per question.
Master Time Management: Take sectional tests to better manage the time spent across the three-hour exam. Begin with the strongest section to build confidence.
Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Read The Hindu or The Economic Times to keep up with business and politics for 6 to 12 months. Weekly revision of static GK should be done with Lucent’s GK.
Focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Explore government business terms and schemes, especially the Startup India initiative. Invitation-based questions from prior years should be practiced since the section is singular and scoring-friendly.
Revise Regularly: In the last month, focus on recension, vocabulary, and current affairs. Additionally, refine strategy through 3-4 full-length mocks each week.
Leverage Prior Experience: Preparations for CAT and XAT are helpful due to the overlapping CMAT Syllabus. Prior focus on reasoning, quantitative, and verbal components can help. Pay attention to the distinctive Innovation & Entrepreneurship section.
Join a CMAT Tutorial: CATKing and IMS are examples of online CMAT tutors that provide structured lessons, mocks, and video explanations with answer keys. Such resources can help elucidate difficult concepts.
Avoid common errors: Skipping mock test evaluation can result in missing weak spots. For the 100-question test, strategize to attempt all questions with optimal precision to mitigate negative scoring.
Stay Healthy: Manage and schedule breaks to avoid burnout and stay focused. Additionally, balance studying with adequate sleep to uplift mental retention and focus.
Starting 6-9 months in advance permits building confidence, covering the CMAT Syllabus and scoring above the 99 percentile benchmark. For top-tiered colleges, JBIMS expects 99.8 and GIM Goa around 95 plus. Regular practice with structured revision can achieve set targets. For bespoke direction, reach out to expert counselors through the Enquiry section on our website.
